Dahlia plant named ‘Daseksten’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘DASEKSTEN’ characterized by ray floret color (fully opened): upper side: near base, yellow, RHS 9A transitioning to orange-red, RHS N30C; capitulum (composite flower head): 8.5 cm in diameter, with a large number of ray florets (about 110 to 150); foliage: mature leaves are up to 12 cm in length, mostly compound, with 2 to 3 elliptic leaflets; and plant vigor and growth habit: Moderately vigorous, grows upright and is globular in shape.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Dahlia sp.

Variety denomination: ‘DASEKSTEN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant, botanically known as Dahlia sp. of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DASEKSTEN’.

The new Dahlia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Rune Harboe Nielsen, in Fyn, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Dahlia variety with an upright, strong and healthy growth habit, suitable for large scale container production; fully double flowers creating globular-shaped flower head (composite flower heads with many ray florets).

The new Dahlia cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2003 in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The female or seed parent is the Dahlia Cav. designated ‘99.A188 Hawaii’ (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is the Dahlia hortensis Guillaumin designated ‘01.130B’ (unpatented). The new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in June of 2003 in a controlled environment in Fyn, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in February of 2004 in Fyn, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DASEKSTEN’, which in combination distinguish this Dahlia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Ray floret color (fully opened): upper side: near base,         yellow, RHS 9A transitioning to orange-red, RHS N30C;     -   2. Capitulum (composite flower head): 8.5 cm in diameter, with a         large number of ray florets (about 110 to 150);     -   3. Foliage: Mature leaves are up to 12 cm in length, mostly         compound, with 2 to 3 elliptic leaflets; and     -   4. Plant Vigor and Growth Habit: Moderately vigorous, grows         upright and is globular in shape.

Plants of the new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ differ from the parental plants, Dahlia Cav. designated ‘99.A188 Hawaii’ (unpatented) and Dahlia hortensis Guillaumin designated ‘01.130B’ (unpatented), in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar ‘99.A188 Hawaii’ ‘0.1.130B’ Characteristic ‘DASEKSTEN’ (unpatented), (unpatented) Flower Color Orange Red Red Orange Capitulum About 8.5 cm About 7.5 cm About 8 cm Diameter: Mature Leaf Length: Up to 12 cm About 11 cm About 12 cm Plant Height: About 14.5 cm About 14 cm About 18 cm Plant Diameter: About 17.5 cm About 16 cm About 19 cm

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ are the Dahlia sp. ‘DAFEMTEN’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,185) and Dahlia sp. ‘DA12’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,632) in the characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison Comparison Dahlia ‘DAFEMTEN’ sp. ‘DA12’ New Cultivar (patented, U.S. (patented, U.S. Characteristic ‘DASEKSTEN’ PP19,185) PP19,632) Mature Ray Yellow to Yellow-orange Red Floret Color Orange-Red (upper surface): Capitulum About 8.5 cm About 8 cm About 10.25 cm Diameter: Mature Leaf Up to 12 cm About 4 to About 6 to 15 cm Length: 7 cm Plant Vigor: Moderately vigorous Vigorous Vigorous Plant Height: About 14.5 cm About 16.5 cm About 42.5 cm Plant Diameter: About 17.5 cm About 19 cm About 40 cm

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘DASEKSTEN’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DASEKSTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 13 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 2 shows a top view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DASEKSTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 13 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up top and bottom view of the typical foliage, as well as, a fully opened capitulum of ‘DASEKSTEN’, at 13 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the detailed floral parts of a fully opened capitulum of ‘DASEKSTEN’.

FIG. 5 shows a comparison view of a typical mature flowering plant of the new cultivar ‘DASEKSTEN’ (top) in a 11 cm pot compared to a typical mature flowering plant of the comparison cultivar ‘DAFEMTEN’ in a 11 cm pot (bottom).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ as grown in a protected environment in a glasshouse in Fyn, Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. During propagation, conducted in a glasshouse, vegetative cuttings were planted in small propagation pots with peat as substrate, and then placed in a plastic tunnel averaging about 21° C. and received photoperiodic treatments of 18 hours. Supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000–4000 Lux. Rooting occurred about 12 days after planting. In third week after planting, young plants were potted in an 11 cm pot in a glasshouse maintained at 18° C. to 22° C. during the day, and at 17° C. to 19° C. during the night. Photoperiodic treatments were continued at 18 hours, and supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000–4000 Lux. Irrigation was done with water. The EC measured in the soil was maintained between 2.0 to 3.0. One week after potting, the first growth regulation was given: a spray with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 40–100 ml/m². During the production time, 9 additional sprayings were given with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 40–100 ml/m².

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The age of the ‘DASEKSTEN’ plants described is 13 weeks (including propagation time).

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Dahlia sp. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Dahlia Cav. designated ‘99.A188             Hawaii’ (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Dahlia hortensis Guillaumin             designated ‘01.130B’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative cuttings.         -   Rooting description.—Fine, fibrous; may develop tubers in             late fall.         -   Height of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can grow             to about 20 to 30 cm.         -   Diameter of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can             grow to about 20 to 30 cm.         -   Color of roots.—White, RHS 155B.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 12 days at 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 28 days at 21° C.             during rooting phase, followed by 18° C.         -   Tubers.—Will form under short day conditions, 12 hours of             darkness. Tubers may develop in late fall when planted             outdoors. -   Plant:     -   -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 7 to 9 weeks are required to             produce finished flowering plants in 11 cm pots, provided             daylength is 18 hrs.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderately Vigorous, about 2 cm per week.         -   Form.—Globular, upright and slight spreading.         -   Size.—Height (from soil level to top of plant plane): About             13 to 16 cm. Spread: About 15 to 20 cm.         -   Stem.—Appearance/Shape: Circular, hollow, glabrous.             Diameter: About 6 to 14 mm. Aspect: Upright to outward.             Strength: Strong. Texture: Glaucous. Pubescence: None.             Color: Brown, RHS 200A on older stems, and yellow-green, RHS             146A, on younger stems or stems exposed to less light.         -   Lateral branches.—Quantity per plant: About 3 to 5 (when             pinching over 3 pair of leaves). Length (including             inflorescences): About 9 to 14 cm. (including break to base             of peduncle): About 6 to 9 cm. Diameter: About 5 to 12 mm.             Color: Brown, RHS 200A on older branches, and yellow-green,             RHS 146A, on younger stems or stems exposed to less light.         -   Habit.—Freely branching. Basal Branching: Yes. Pinching:             Pinching recommended. Internode length: About 1 to 2 cm.         -   Foliage.—Type: Lower leaves: Single. Upper leaves: compound,             3–5 lobed. Quantity of leaves per lateral branch: About 6             to 8. Quantity of leaflets per compound leaf: 1 to 3. Color             (leaves and leaflets): Color (mature): Upper side: Green,             RHS 139A. Under side: Grayed-green, RHS 191B. Color             (immature): Upper side: Green, RHS 139A. Under side: RHS,             RHS 138A.         -   Venation (leaves and leaflets).—Pattern: Pinnatilobate.             Color: Upper side: Yellow green, RHS 148A. Under side:             Yellow-green, RHS 146A.         -   Simple leaves.—Arrangement: Opposite, decussate. Length:             About 6 to 12 cm. Width: About 2.5 to 8 cm. Shape:             Elliptical, cuspidate tip, rounded to cordate base. Margin:             Erose. Texture (both sides): Rugose. Petiole: Shape: Semi             circular, with deep furrow on adaxial side. Length: About 1             to 3 cm. Diameter: About 2 to 5 mm. Color: Upper side:             Brown, RHS 200C. Under side: Yellow-green, RHS 146A.         -   Compound leaves.—Arrangement and shape: Opposite, decussate.             Length: Up to 10 cm. Width: Up to 9 cm. Shape: Elliptical,             cuspidate tip, rounded to cordate base. Margin: Erose.             Texture (both sides): Rugose. Petiole: Shape: Semi circular.             Length: About 1 to 3 cm. Diameter: About 2 to 5 mm. Color:             Upper side: Brown, RHS 200C. Under side: Yellow-green, RHS             146A.         -   Leaflets of compound leaf.—Terminal: Quantity: 1. Length:             About 6.5 cm. Width: About 5 cm. Rachis: Length: Up to 1 cm.             Diameter: About 2 to 3 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 146A.             Lateral: Quantity: About 1 to 2. Length: About 5 cm. Width:             About 3 cm. -   Flowering description:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Grown outside as a bedding plant,             flowering occurs continuously during growing season from             spring to autumn. (In Denmark, from June to beginning of             October). Plants can be brought to flower anytime when grown             under the recommended greenhouse conditions.         -   Time to first flower.—About 7 to 9 weeks from potting of a             rooted cutting.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on plant.—Depending on             weather conditions, about 6 to 10 days.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Type.—Capitulum (composite flower head).         -   Arrangement.—Persistent, single, composite inflorescences             from leaf axils. Disc and ray florets arranged acropetally             on a capitulum.         -   Flowering aspect.—Upright, slightly spreading. Young flower             head/buds initially 30° to 90° turning to 0° to 30° when             flower head opens.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per lateral branch.—About 2             open capitulum and 4 buds.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Bud.—Quantity: Up to 4 per lateral stem (buds continue to             develop when the dead composite flower heads are removed).             Rate of Opening: About 1 to 3 buds per week. About 4 to 10             days for bud to progress from first color to fully opened             inflorescence. Shape: Globular. Length (when color shows):             About 1.2 to 1.5 cm. Diameter (when color shows): About 1.4             to 1.8 cm. Texture: Glabrous, shining. Color: Yellow-green,             RHS 144A.         -   Peduncle.—Length: About 3 to 6 cm. Diameter: About 3 to             4 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect (angle to vertical): First             flower: About 0° to 10°. Second flower: About 20° to 30°.             Texture: Glabrous. Color: Mature: Brown, RHS 200B; Immature:             Yellow-green, RHS 146A.         -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence depth (height): About 8 to             9 cm. Inflorescence diameter: About 4 to 5 cm. Disc             diameter: About 5.5 cm. Receptacle diameter: About 8 mm.             Receptacle height: About 4 to 6 mm.         -   Ray florets.—Arrangement: Imbricate, in about 11 to 15             whorls of ray florets, each with 9 to 11 florets to equal a             total of about 110–150 ray florets per capitulum, depending             on light and temperature conditions. Overall shape: Obovate,             involute with a rounded tip. Apex shape: Obtuse. Base shape:             Acuminate, fused to form tube. Length: About 30 to 40 mm.             Diameter (width): About 20 to 30 mm. Margin: Entire.             Texture: Upper and under surfaces: Glabrous. Orientation:             Initially 10° from vertical, with development, to 80° from             vertical. Color: Development and tones of color for florets             may change slightly depending on light and temperature             conditions. When opening: Upper surface: Near base,             yellow-orange, RHS 14A, transitioning to orange-red, RHS             N30B, at tip. Under surface: Primarily, orange-red, RHS 31A,             with longitudinal stripes of yellow-orange, RHS 14A. When             fully opened: Upper surface: Near base, yellow, RHS 9A,             transitioning to orange-red, RHS N30C, at tip. Under             surface: Primarily, orange-red, RHS 31A, with longitudinal             stripes of yellow, RHS 9C. Just before senescence: Upper             surface: Orange-red, RHS N30D. Under surface: Orange-red,             RHS 31B.         -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: Massed at center of capitulum,             about 30–50 disc florets per capitulum, which are             yellow-orange in color. Appearance: Tubular to single, fused             corolla. Overall shape: Tubular. Apex shape: Star with 5             triangular tips. Base shape: Fused to tube. Length: About 5             to 6 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture (both             surfaces): Glabrous, translucent. Color: Transparent,             yellow-orange, RHS 14A.         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity: One subtending each floret. About 110             to 150 phyllaries per capitulum. Overall shape: Thin             translucent, papery. Phyllaries, arranged acropetally on the             capitulum. Overall shape: Rounded. Apex shape: Acute with             rounded tip. Base shape: Fused. Length: About 9 to 14 mm.             Width: About 4 to 6 mm. Margin: Entire. Color: Mature:             Yellow-green, RHS 151B. Immature: Primarily yellow-green,             RHS 151D, to green, RHS 144A, near base.         -   Bracts.—Quantity: About 6 to 8. Appearance and arrangement:             Reflexed, involucral bracts. Overall shape: Subulate. Apex             shape: Acute. Base shape: Sessile. Length: About 12 to             18 mm. Width: About 4 to 7 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture (both             sides): Glabrous. Color: Mature: Upper side: Green, RHS             139A. Under side: Primarily, yellow-green, RHS 151D, to             yellow-green, RHS 144A, near base. Immature: Upper side:             Green, RHS 139A. Under side: Green, RHS 139B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 5, fused into synandrous tube             around style. Disc florets fertile, ray florets sterile.             Length: About 6 to 8 mm. Anther: Shape: Tubular. Length:             About 3 to 4 mm. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 20A. Pollen:             Amount: Scarce. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Quantity: One per disc floret. Length:             About 4 to 6 mm. Stigma: Shape: Bifurcate. Length: About 3             to 6 mm. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 20A. Style: Length: About             2 to 3 mm. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 20D. Ovary: Shape:             Globular. Diameter: About 1 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS             151C. -   Seed/fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Dahlia has not been observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests     common to Dahlia has not been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.     (but flowering ceases at constant temperature below 12° C.) and     tolerant to a high temperature of about 35° C. Optimum flowering     occurs only between 12° C. and 30° C. High temperatures might reduce     flowering. -   Growth regulators: Daminozide (85% water soluble dry concentrate     formulation). 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘DASEKSTEN’, as described and illustrated herein. 